Historically, in the nutshell, the Malaysian Students Department for the United
Kingdom and Eire (MASDUKE) was originally set up as the Malayan Students Unit
of the Colonial Office way back in early February 1954. The unit was one of
the United Kingdom special purpose vehicles for dealing with matters connected
with students from the colonies and dependent territories. It was initially
located at the then Malaya House, Grand Buildings, Trafalgar Square, London
and thereafter moved to 288, Walmar House, Regent Street in mid-October 1959.
After a short while at Regent Street, it then occupied part of the Malaysian
Hall Building at 44 and 45 Bryanston Square, London W1H 8AJ until April 2002.
At present the MASDUKE is at 46 and 47 Bryanston Square, sharing temporarily
with the left-over space of the Malaysia Hall (MH) after the lease for premises
44 and 45 ended. The MASDUKE and MH are administratively under the High Commission
of Malaysia for the United Kingdom. Essentially they are part of the Department
of Higher Education, Ministry of Education of Malaysia.
The limited space at 46 and 47 Bryanston Square (also leased from the Portman
Settled Estates) could not serve the functions of both the MASDUKE and MH sufficiently.
As such, the Government of Malaysia has decided to procure a freehold property
within the W1 or W2 precinct of Central London to house the two institutions.
This could well be materialised by the middle of 2003.
The Malaysia Hall at London was established in September 1951, occupying first
the premises at 44 and 45 Bryanston Square and then expanded to the adjacent
premises of 46 and 47 in March 1954.
In EIRE, the Malaysia Hall Dublin, formerly known as the Malayan Students Centre
at Dublin was started in November 1956. It occupies a building owned by the
Malaysian Government at 31, Leeson Park, Dublin.
Prior to the year 1998, there were Malaysian Students Centres at Belfast, Cardiff,
Brighton, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. However, the centres had to be
closed due to the lack of funds to run them because of the economic doldrums
faced by Malaysia in 1997 and 1998.
The Malaysia Halls and students centres were and are (for the remaining ones)
under the jurisdiction of the MASDUKE. The main purpose of the halls is to provide
living accommodation for students.
Besides the bedrooms, the halls are equipped with facilities for the Malaysian
students activities and canteens serving Malaysian cuisines not only to the
students but also other Malaysians, be they UK residents or tourists.
The Malaysia Hall at Bryanston Square is an important historical reference.
It was here in the early fifties that the founding leaders of Malaysia (Malaya
then) spent time to discuss strategies to gain independence amicably from the
British Empire.
Since the Malaysia Halls and Students Centres were established, more than 200,000
Malaysian Students in the UK and EIRE must have passed through them, some had
fond memories as the occupants. Many referred them as their "homes away from
homes". It cannot be denied that the Hall at Bryanston Square, especially, has
become a sort of sentimental value to many former Malaysian students from the
UK universities and colleges so much so that many of them will never miss to
pay homage to the historical premises whenever they are in London.
Some salient points on the MASDUKE
The mission of the department can be stated as follows:" As an enabler in providing
efficacious services with regard to the welfare and academic performance of
Malaysian students in the UK and EIRE towards facilitating them to develop themselves
as knowledge and responsible professionals for nation building and positioning
themselves strategically in the highly competitive global markets."
Based on the mission statement, the objectives of the department are:
To manage students affairs with regard to their financial needs, good behaviour
as "little ambassadors" and well being through various programmes jointly
organised with them.
To monitor their academic performances and guide them where and when necessary
by various means, like counselling, outreach activities and organising academic
seminars/workshops.
To be an enabler in helping the students to be knowledgeable, highly skilled,
of exemplary behaviour and highly competitive.
To administer efficiently the affairs of the MASDUKE and Malaysia Halls
in trying to meet the needs of the clients, i.e., the students and sponsors,
in particular as well as facilitating the requests of the Malaysian community
residing in the UK and EIRE at large.
The MASDUKE has the following functions and scope of works:
To fulfil the needs of students, sponsors and parents in academic affairs
through various administrative measures.
To provide guidance, be them on academic, social, religious or vocational
matters.
To look after their welfare and security needs.
To manage and administer the department and the Halls and report back periodically
to H.E. the Malaysian High Commissioner and the Ministry of Education.
To keep and update students records and survey their needs and performances
from time to time.
For the past 50 years, there may well be between 12 and 16 Directors who had
devoted their life, knowledge and skills in leading the Malaysian Students Department
for the UK and EIRE. There must have been more than 200 home-based and locally
recruited staff serving the department. More than 200,000 Malaysian students
were looked after, some were somewhat satisfied and others were understandably
unhappy for all their wants and needs might not be met. However, through the
trials and tribulations, the Directors and the staff undeniably had worked hard
to provide the services to the best of their abilities despite the limited facilities
and budgets confronting them.
However, one thing we must be proud of and that is the resolve and volition
of the Government of Malaysia to keep on providing the services to Malaysian
students overseas via a number of Malaysian Students Departments, Halls and
Centres globally. Only a few nations can afford to do this.
Director of the Malaysian Students Department can be contacted at:
Director
Malaysian Students Department for the UK and EIRE
30 - 34, Queensborough Terrace
London W2 3ST
Tel: 020 79851252
Fax: 020 7221 5615
Email: director@masduke.com
- Director: Prof. Madya Dr. Rosman Abdullah
- Contact Info
Office of the High Commission
Malaysian Students Department for the UK
and EIRE
30-34, Queensborough Terrace
London W2 3ST
